Evacu-Cation

For months, I've been planning the annual Friends Beach Trip. Looking forward to lounging, swimming, eating, reading, and perhaps drinking - nothing more - for several days. Then Gustav reared his ugly little head, and we thought all was lost.

My plan had been to go to Baton Rouge to stay with my mom, but since the beach house is paid for (and non-refundable!), and an easterly evacuation seems like the best bet, we've decided to go anyway.

The only glitch was the dogs. The rental company flat-out refused to waive their no-pets policy, despite the emergency situation and my plaintive begging. I spent several hours today trying to find kennels near the beach house, but they were all booked. Then, a minor miracle: the rental company called, said they'd talked to the owner, and for a small fee, they'd let me bring the preciouses! Such relief.

Who could say no to us???